Cleaning article with differential sized tow tufts

ABSTRACT

A cleaning article defining an XY plane and a Z direction perpendicular to the plane. The cleaning article has discrete tufts of tow fibers bonded to a carrier sheet by primary bonds. The discrete tufts have secondary bond lines external to the tufts. The secondary bond lines interrupt the Z-direction thickness of the tufts, to provide channels for improved collection and retention of debris from a target surface. The tufts are created by slits between the primary bonds and secondary bonds, which yield plural tuft sizes. The slits may be transversely unequally spaced between adjacent bonds.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cleaning articles having plural sizedtufts of tow fibers for cleaning a hard surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various cleaning articles have been created for dusting and lightcleaning. For example, cloth rags and paper towels used dry or wettedwith polishing and cleaning compositions have been used on relativelyflat surfaces such as countertops, showers, sinks and floors.Laminiferous wipes have been proposed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,296,176. But, rags, wipes, and paper towels are problematic forreasons such as hygiene (the user's hands may touch chemicals, dirt orthe surface during cleaning), reach (it may be difficult to insert theuser's hand with the rag, wipe or paper towel into hard-to-reach places)and inconvenience (cleaning between closely-spaced articles typicallyrequires moving the articles).

To overcome the problems associated with using rags and paper towels,various reusable dust gathering devices using felt and hair have beenutilized for more than a century, as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No.823,725 issued in 1906 to Hayden and using yarns as illustrated in U.S.Pat. No. 4,145,787. To address the problems with reusable dust gatheringdevices, disposable cleaning articles have been developed which havelimited re-usability. These disposable cleaning articles may includesynthetic fiber tufts, called tow fibers, attached to a sheet as shownin US Application 2006/0171764; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,143,393; 6,241,835;6,319,593; 6,329,308; 6,554,937; 6,774,070; 6,813,801; 6,830,801;6,984,615; 7,003,856; 7,566,671; 7,712,178; 7,779,502; 7,870,635;7,937,797; 8,146,197; 8,151,402; 8,161,594, 8,186,001; 8,225,453;8,245,349; 8,646,144; 8,528,151; 8,617,685; 8,646,144; 8,752,232;8,756,746; 8,763,197; 8,793,832; 9,113,768; 9,198,553 and in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,977.

Disposable dusters having tow fibers may provide for wet cleaning asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,671 and in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.No. 7,803,726 and commonly assigned US Application 2008/0028560. But towfibers may become matted when wet and not be suitable for cleaning alarge or heavily wetted surface, such as a floor. Thus, dusters may notsuitable for cleaning extremely large or heavily soiled surfaces.

Thus various sheets have been proposed for cleaning larger targetsurfaces, such as floors. Webs with elastic behavior have been proposedin commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,035. Sheets with recesses havealso been proposed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,245,413; and7,386,907. Sheets with cavities have been proposed, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,550,092. An adhesive cleaning sheet is proposed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,291,359. Tufts are taught in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.7,682,686, 7,838,099 and/or 8,075,977. Yet other attempts use coatingsof wax and/or oil. Coatings, such as wax and oil are generally disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,550,092; 6,777,064; 6,797,357; 6,936,330; 6,984,615;7,386,907; 7,560,398; 7,786,030; 8,536,074; 9,204,775 and 9,339,165.Specific amphiphilic coatings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,851,776.

Some of the prior art attempted to focus on debris as simply large andsmall, based upon the size of the debris intended to be collected. Butthese teachings do not always address the proper use of tow fibers tocollect the range of debris commonly found when cleaning a floor. Priorart attempts to incorporate tow fibers into cleaning sheets did notaccount for such differences in volume and density. Higher density,granular debris, such as dirt, is not necessarily captured by towfibers. Tow fibers which are spaced too far apart may not even come incontact with dense, granular debris, much less clean such debris fromthe surface. And tow fibers which are spaced too closely may notintercept and hold the more voluminous, lower density debris. Even ifsuch debris is initially captured, prior art sheets have not addressedthe problem of how to retain such debris by the sheet.

Accordingly, this invention addresses the problem of how to incorporatetow fibers into a hard surface cleaning article for capture andretention of the wide range of debris encountered in everyday cleaningby through the preferential treatment of tow tufts on a cleaning sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a cleaning article bounded by edges, having alongitudinal axis and comprising a carrier sheet, and a plurality ofdiscretely spaced tufts of tow fibers joined to the carrier sheet. Thetufts have secondary bonds therethrough, creating channels for theaccumulation of debris.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures, the bond lines and the footprint of the cleaning articleare drawn to scale. The tufts of tow fibers are shown schematically. Asused herein, the top view is the view of the cleaning article whichfaces towards and contacts the target surface. The bottom view isopposed to the top view and faces towards the head of a cleaning devicewhen the cleaning article is attached thereto.

FIG. 1A is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamondsschematically showing three different tuft sizes, with constant widthcontinuous secondary bonds oriented generally parallel to the transverseaxis.

FIG. 1B1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 1A havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 1B2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 1B1.

FIG. 1C is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 1A, 1B1and 1B2.

FIG. 1D is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, with pluralwidth continuous secondary bonds oriented generally parallel to thetransverse axis.

FIG. 1E1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 1D havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 1E2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 1E1.

FIG. 1F is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 1D 1E1and 1E2.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withinterrupted constant width secondary bonds oriented generally parallelto the transverse axis.

FIG. 2B 1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 2A havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 2B2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 2B1.

FIG. 2C is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 2A, 2B 1and 2B2.

FIG. 2D is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withinterrupted plural width secondary bonds oriented generally parallel tothe transverse axis.

FIG. 2E1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 2D havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 2E2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 2E1.

FIG. 2F is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 2D and2E.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withcontinuous secondary bonds oriented generally diagonal to the transverseaxis.

FIG. 3B 1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 3A havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 3B2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 3B1.

FIG. 3C is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 3A, 3B1and 3B2.

FIG. 3D is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withinterrupted secondary bonds oriented generally diagonal to thetransverse axis.

FIG. 3E1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 3D havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 3E2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 3E1.

FIG. 3F is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 3D, 3E1and 3E2.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withuniformly spaced secondary bonds oriented generally parallel to thetransverse axis and intermittently spaced slits.

FIG. 4B1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 4A havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 4B2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 4B1.

FIG. 4C is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 4A, 4B1and 4B2.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withcontinuous chevron shaped secondary bonds.

FIG. 5B1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 5A havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 5B2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 5B1.

FIG. 5C is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 5A, 5B1and 5B2.

FIG. 5D is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, with pluralwidth continuous chevron shaped secondary bonds.

FIG. 5E1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 5D havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 5E2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 5E1.

FIG. 5F is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 5D, 5E1and 5E2.

FIG. 6A is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withinterrupted chevron secondary bonds, forming herring bones oriented inthe longitudinal direction.

FIG. 6B 1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 6A havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 6B2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 6B1.

FIG. 6C is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 6A, 6B 1and 6B2.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withcontinuous serpentine secondary bonds oriented diagonal to thetransverse axis.

FIG. 7B 1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 7A havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 7B2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 7B1.

FIG. 7C is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 7A, 7B 1and 7B2.

FIG. 7D is a top view of a cleaning article according to the presentinvention and having discrete tufts represented as diamonds, withinterrupted serpentine secondary bonds.

FIG. 7E1 is a top view of the cleaning article of FIG. 7D havingdiscrete tufts represented with a common proximal end for each tuft.

FIG. 7E2 is a side elevational view of the cleaning article of FIG. 7E1

FIG. 7F is a bottom plan view of the cleaning article of FIGS. 7D, 7E1and 7E2.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a cleaning article having variouscombinations of the aforementioned secondary bonds and omitting theoptional perimeter bonds.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a floor cleaning implement suitable foruse with the claimed invention and having a cleaning article attachablethereto.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a floor cleaning implement suitable foruse with the present invention and which sprays liquid cleanser on thefloor.

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a handle suitable for use with a dustertype cleaning article according to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1A-8, the cleaning article 10 may begenerally elongate, and rectangular, although other shapes arecontemplated and feasible. The cleaning article 10 may comprise two ormore components joined in a laminate form to provide cleaning article 10suitable for floor cleaning. The cleaning article 10 may have a carriersheet, which forms a chassis for attachment of other components thereto.The cleaning article 10 has a plurality of tufts 15 made of tow fibers.The tufts 15 may be disposed in rows 30 forming a grid or field of tufts15. The tufts 15 are joined to the carrier sheet by a first plurality ofprimary bonds 32. A second plurality of secondary bonds 34 formschannels or groves through the tufts 15, to provide for accumulation ofdebris therein.

The cleaning article 10 may be disposable. By disposable it is meantthat the cleaning article 10 may be used for one cleaning task, orgenerally for not more than several square meters, then discarded. Incontrast, a reusable cleaning article 10 is laundered or otherwiserestored after use.

As used herein, the cleaning article 10 according to the presentinvention, and particularly the carrier sheet thereof is macroscopicallyplanar and defines an XY plane. The tufts 15 extend outwardly in the Zdirection perpendicular to the XY plane. The cleaning article 10 mayhave a longitudinal axis LA defining a longitudinal direction and atransverse axis TA orthogonal thereto and defining a transversedirection, both axes LA, TA lying within the XY plane. The cleaningarticle 10, and respective components thereof, may have two longitudinaledges 20 parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and two transverse edges22 parallel to the transverse axis TA. For example, the field of tufts15 may define a longitudinal edge 220 and transverse edge 222 disposedwithin the carrier sheet.

The length of the cleaning article 10 is taken in the longitudinaldirection. The width of the cleaning article 10 corresponds to thetransverse direction perpendicular to the length direction and disposedwithin the plane of the sheet. The XY plane is defined as the planedefined by the cleaning article 10. The Z-direction of the cleaningarticle 10 is the direction perpendicular to the plane of the cleaningarticle 10. The thickness is defined as the dimension in the Zdirection. The cleaning article 10 may have a length from 20 to 50 cmand a width of 10 to 30 cm. The cleaning article 10 may particularly be30+/−2 cm long by 14+/−2 cm wide, as measured at the greatestdimensions, in order to fit the head 74 of a typical cleaning implement70, as discussed below. Of course, one of skill will recognize thatother shapes are feasible and within the scope of the present invention.

The cleaning article 10 may have an outwardly facing cleaning side andan attachment side opposed thereto. The cleaning article 10 is intendedto be used dry, although wet cleaning is contemplated and within thescope of the present invention. The cleaning article 10 may also have anoptional absorbent core for wet cleaning. An optional core mayparticularly have a width of 6.5+/−2 cm and a length of 26+/−2 cm.

More particularly, the cleaning article 10 may comprise a constructionof at least one tow fiber tuft 15 and at least one carrier sheet. Thetow fiber tuft 15 and carrier are joined in face-to-face relationshipwith at least one permanent bond 38 to form a laminate. The tow fibertuft(s) 15 may be distended from and extend outwardly from the plane ofthe carrier sheet to provide a thickness in the z-direction. The tufts15 may be disposed directly on a carrier sheet. Optionally, the tufts 15may be bonded to a precursor sheet, which, in turn, is joined to acarrier sheet.

The carrier sheet may particularly comprise a synthetic nonwoven. Acarrier sheet having synthetic fibers provides for convenient joining ofthe tow fibers thereto. Nonwovens include spun bonded, carded andairlaid materials, as are known in the art and made from syntheticfibers. A suitable nonwoven sheet may be made according to commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,797,357. The carrier sheet may optionallycomprise a polyolefinic film, or a microfiber and be liquid pervious orimpervious.

The carrier sheet may comprise cellulose, to provide absorptivecapacity. A cellulosic sheet may have permanent wet strength resin addedthereto, as is known in the art. Or the carrier sheet may preferablycomprise a mixture of cellulosic and synthetic fibers, to provide bothabsorptive and barrier properties.

The carrier sheet may comprise a hydroentangled spunbond nonwoven with abasis weight of 20 to 80 gsm. A 45 gsm nonwoven from Avgol Nonwovens ofTel-Aviv, Israel has been found suitable. The carrier sheet may comprisea laminate of two, three or more plies joined together using adhesiveand/or thermal bonds as are known in the art. Optional attachmentstripes of loop or similar material may be joined to the attachment sideto removably join the cleaning article 10 to a handle 72 or implement70. One or more plies of the carrier sheet may comprise a microfiber,particularly a nylon microfiber, as is known in the art.

The cleaning article 10 may have an optional cleaning strip element. Thecleaning strip element may comprise a polyolefinic film, having integralprotrusions as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,407,848 ormay be a rope of tow fibers. The cleaning strip element may preferablycomprise a mixture of wet laid fibers formed into a tissue which isbonded onto a synthetic nonwoven using a process such as spun lace orhydroentangling. The cleaning element may particularly comprise a 23 gsmtissue with a 17 gsm polypropylene spunbond as a composite, sold underthe name Genesis tissue by Suominen of Helsinki, Finland. Or, thecleaning strip element, precursor sheet and/or the carrier sheet mayalternatively or additionally comprise nylon microfiber.

The tow fibers, and tufts 15 formed therewith, may be synthetic,comprising polymers including polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene,bio-derived polymers such as polylactic acid, bio-polyethylene,bio-polyester and the like. Tow fibers may also include fibers fromnatural sources such as cellulose, cellulose acetate, flax, hemp, juteand mixtures thereof manufactured wherein the individual fibers arerelatively long strands manufactured in bundles. Preferred tow fibersare bicomponent fibers having a PP or PE core with a polyethylenesheath. The tow fibers may have a denier per filament of 1.5 to 8.0 anda total crimped denier of 15,000 to 95,000. Tow fibers are a componentin Swifter® Dusters™ sold by the instant assignee.

The tow fiber tuft(s) 15 may be joined to the carrier sheet by aplurality of permanent primary bonds 32. The primary bonds 32 areintended to minimize or prevent stray or dislodged tow fibers frombecoming loose from the carrier sheet. Such sheets 12 and tow fibertuft(s) 15 may typically be directly superimposed on one another, withor without intervening sheets, members or components therebetween. Theprimary bonds 32 may be ultrasonic bonds 38, adhesive bonds 38, thermalbonds 38 or a combination thereof, as are known in the art.

The cleaning article 10 also has a secondary plurality of secondarybonds 34. The secondary bonds 34 are formed after the tufts 15 arejoined to the carrier sheet by the primary bonds 32. The secondary bonds34 are generally linear, having an aspect ratio within the XY plane ofat least 1, preferably at least 10 and more preferably at least 20. Thesecondary bonds 34 reduce the thickness of the tufts 15 in the Zdirection. The reduced thickness of the secondary bonds 34, relative tothe balance of the tufts 15 aligned with the edges of the secondarybonds 34, creates channels to intercept debris. The secondary bonds 34may be of constant width, or may converge towards a distal end thereof.

The secondary bonds 34 may be of uniform size, orientation relative tothe longitudinal axis, and spacing. Alternatively, the secondary bonds34 may be of variable width, length, spacing, angular orientation and/orgeometry, as desired.

The channels formed by the secondary bonds 34 allow large debris toenter in a direction approaching the longitudinal axis LA of thecleaning article 10. Particularly, this arrangement provides the benefitduring ordinary use that larger debris can be intercepted in the channelformed by the secondary bond, while smaller debris is intercepted by thetufts 15.

The secondary bonds 34 may have adhesive disposed thereon. The adhesiveassists in retention of debris which enters the channels formed by thesecondary bonds 34. Suitable adhesive includes contact adhesive. Theadhesive may be applied to the secondary bonds 34 by spraying, rollersand other techniques known in the art for zone coating.

The transverse edge 222 of the field of tufts 15 may be juxtaposed withor coincident the transverse edge 22 of the carrier sheet. Preferably aperimeter bond 34P joins the tow fibers of the field of tufts 15 at therespective transverse edges, 22, 222. This arrangement prevents loss oftow fibers from occurring when separating an individual cleaning article10 from a continuous web or upon a slit 36 being near a transverse edge22 without an intervening primary bond 32. As used herein, a slit 36 isa cut through the two fibers and underlying carrier sheet, therebyforming a tuft 15.

The cleaning article 10 according to the present invention may be madeby providing a carrier sheet. Tow fibers are disposed on the carriersheet. For the embodiments shown herein, the tow fibers are generallyaligned in the longitudinal direction, although the invention is not solimited.

The tow fibers are joined to the carrier sheet with transversely offsetprimary bonds 32. The primary bonds 32 may be elongate. The primarybonds 32 are shown as teardrops, although the invention is not solimited. The primary bonds 32 may be linear or of any desired shape andsize, so long as the tow fibers are permanently joined to the carriersheet thereby.

After the tow fibers are joined to the carrier sheet by the primarybonds 32, the tow fibers are further bonded to the carrier sheet by thesecondary bonds 34. Tufts 15 are created by cutting the carrier sheetand tow fibers between the bonds 38 with a plurality of elongate slits36.

The proximal ends of the tow fibers forming a tuft 15 are defined by arespective primary bond 32 or secondary bond 34. Two slits 36 define andform the proximal ends of the tow fibers of a respective tuft 15. Eachslit 36 may be disposed between a primary bond 32 and a secondary bond34. The irregular spacing between the slits 36 produce plural sizes oftufts 15. The tufts 15 nay have a bond 32, 34 defining the proximal endthereof

The plural sizes of tufts 15 provide different tuft 15 heights is theZ-direction. The different tuft 15 heights create channels,corresponding to the tufts 15 of lesser height or thickness in the Zdirection. These channels unexpectedly improve cleaning performance, asdiscussed below.

The tufts 15 may be optionally fluffed to increase the thickness of thetufts 15 in the Z direction. Optional fluffing may be accomplished byblowing air, as is known in the art.

After the slits 36 are formed and fluffing, if any, occurs, thesecondary bonds 34 are applied. The secondary bonds 34 may be formed inthe same manner as the primary bonds 32, or may be formed by differentmethods. The secondary bonds 34 may be ultrasonic bonds 38, adhesivebonds 38, thermal bonds 38 or a combination thereof, as are known in theart. Any such method of forming the secondary bonds 34 is suitable, solong as visually discernable secondary bonds 34 are formed and provide athickness difference in the Z direction between the secondary bond 34and at least two or more adjacent tufts 15 of tow fibers.

The slits 36, primary bonds 32 and secondary bonds 34 may be mutuallyparallel as shown, and including any of the embodiments disclosedherein. This geometry provides the benefit that the spacing therebetweenmay be tailored to provide the desired tuft 15 sizes.

If three sizes of tufts 15 are selected, as shown in the illustrativeand nonlimiting examples described herein, the smallest tufts 15 mayhave a width of 0.5 to 2 cm, and a thickness of 0.25 to 1 cm. Thelargest tufts 15 may have a width of 2 to 5 cm, and a thickness of 1 to3 cm. The intermediate sized tufts 15 may have a width of 1 to 3 cm, anda thickness of 0.5 to 2 cm. The width is taken in the transversedirection and thickness in the Z direction.

The secondary bonds 34 preferably intercept the longitudinal edge 220 ofthe field of tufts 15. This arrangement allows an opening for largedebris to enter the field of tufts 15 in a direction towards thelongitudinal axis and be retained by adhesive and/or tufts 15 adjacentto and which form the border of the secondary bond. Without thesecondary bonds 34, large debris may become entrapped on thelongitudinal edge 220 of the field of tufts 15 and occlude the tufts 15from intercepting additional debris.

This geometry provides the benefit that when used with a common sizedcleaning implement 70, such as the Swifter® Sweeper™ implement 70 soldby the instant assignee, tufts 15 and secondary bonds 34 may wrap thenose of the head 74 of the cleaning implement. Wrapping the nose of thehead 74 of the cleaning implement 70 is believed to improve cleaningalong walls and baseboards. The amount of tufts 15 on the nose can becontrolled by and is inversely proportional to the width of thesecondary bonds 34.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1A-1F, the cleaning article 10 may havesecondary bonds 34 which are parallel to the transverse axis TA. Thisgeometry provides the benefit that the secondary bond 34 channels canallow debris to enter generally in the direction of forward and backwardmotion while, providing sufficient volume to accommodate large amountsof debris.

The secondary bond 34 alignment being parallel to the transversedirection is generally oriented in the cross-machine direction andperpendicular to the machine direction. Thermal bonding and ultrasonicbonding typically occur in the cross-machine direction at any point intime. As the size of the secondary bond 34 increases in thecross-machine direction, the amount of amperage necessary to form thesecondary bond 34 likewise increases. Increased amperage typicallyresults in increased equipment cost and resulting increasedmanufacturing cost. Certain variant embodiments described below arestated to have the advantage of reduced amperage necessary to form thesecondary bond 34 relative to the amperage required to form a comparablesecondary bond 34 parallel to the transverse direction using thermalbonding and/or ultrasonic bonding.

While generally parallel and equally spaced rows of tufts 15 are shown,the invention is not so limited. Prophetically from two to 15 rows couldbe used, with equal or unequal spacing and equal or unequal variablewidths and equal or unequal tuft 15 density. The rows of tufts 15 may bemutually parallel to the transverse axis, mutually skewed thereto or bemutually skewed relative to other rows. Optionally, adhesive may bedisposed in the spaces between the rows 30. The rows 30 may both extendthroughout the transverse direction and be interrupted at thelongitudinal axis. The tapered intra-tuft spaces between the tufts 15provide the benefit that no tufts 15 are interrupted by the spaces. Thusall tufts 15 can be selected to be of a size large enough forefficacious cleaning.

The pitch, and thus tuft 15 density, may be constant at anypredetermined spacing from the longitudinal edge 20. The tufts 15 may bebilaterally staggered relative to the longitudinal axis and transverseaxis. The tufts 15 may fully overlap the position of adjacent tufts 15,in both directions, to provide adequate spacing therebetween and debrisretention during back and for the sweeping. Alternatively, each tuft 15having a maximum diameter, or other maximum dimension taken parallel tothe longitudinal axis, and the pitch between adjacent tufts 15 in aparticular row may be greater than that maximum diameter/dimension.

The cleaning article according may be tri-folded generally parallel tosaid longitudinal axis, as is common in the art. This arrangementprovides two outboard trisections, commonly used for attachment to thehead 74 of a cleaning implement. If desired, tufts 15 may be disposed inat least one of, and optionally both of, the outboard trisections, toprovide for cleaning along walls and baseboards.

This geometry provides the benefit that when used with a common sizedcleaning implement 70, such as the Swifter® Sweeper™ implement 70 soldby the instant assignee, tufts 15 may wrap the nose of the head 74 ofthe cleaning implement. Wrapping the nose of the head 74 of the cleaningimplement 70 is believed to improve cleaning along walls and baseboards.The amount of tufts 15 on the nose can be controlled by and is inverselyproportional to the width of the spaces 31.

The cleaning article may optionally be completely or partially coatedwith adhesive, wax, Newtonian oils and/or non-Newtonian oils or acombination thereof, in order to improve cleaning and increase retentionof absorbed debris. Particularly, the tow fiber tuft 15, in anyconfiguration, may be coated with a mineral oil coating. The coating maycomprise a mixture of mineral oil and surfactant at a ratio of about 90%to 10% oil to surfactant. The surfactant provides the benefit inducingthe oil to wet the tow fibers by reducing the surface energy. Thesurfactant may be a non-ionic surfactant.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1A-1F, the secondary bonds 34 may becontinuous. These secondary bonds 34 may intercept both longitudinaledges 220 of the field of tufts 15 to allow convenient entry of debris.While six equally spaced secondary bonds 34 are shown, the invention isnot so limited. More or fewer secondary bonds 34 of similar or differentsize and/or spacing may be utilized.

Each slit 36 may be generally equally spaced in the longitudinaldirection between a primary bond 32 and secondary bond 34. The primarybonds 32 and slits 36 may be transversely aligned and longitudinallyaligned, as shown. This arrangement provides the benefit thatdifferential spacing between the slits and the bonds 32, 34 adjacent inthe transverse direction provide differential tuft 15 size.

Referring to particularly to FIGS. 1A-1C, the differential tuft 15 sizeoccurs even though a first plurality of slits 36 is equally spacedbetween primary bonds 32 and secondary bonds 34. A second plurality ofslits 36 is equally spaced between secondary bonds 34. The secondplurality of slits 36 may be transversely aligned with the primarybonds, as shown.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1D-1F, the secondary bonds 34 may be ofplural widths, to provide variable width in the channels formed by thebonds, and thereby increase debris retention. The secondary bonds 34 maybe bulbous, tapered, or constant width as shown.

The slits 36 may be unequally transversely spaced from a primary bond 32and secondary bond 34. This geometry allows one of skill to tailor thesizes of the tufts 15 to the desired end use.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2A-2F, the cleaning article 10 may haveinterrupted secondary bonds 34 which are parallel to the transverse axisTA. These secondary bonds 34 may also intercept both longitudinal edges220 of the field of tufts 15 to allow convenient entry of debris.

This geometry provides the benefit that the secondary bond 34 channelscan allow debris to enter generally in the direction of forward andbackward motion while having no tufts 15 on or proximate to thelongitudinal axis LA. Having a longitudinal axis LA free of tufts 15provides additional freedom of movement of interior tufts 15,prophetically improving debris pickup.

Furthermore, the interior channel, coincident and/or proximate thelongitudinal axis LA may be provided with a tacky coating 39 to improveretention of debris. For example a wax, such as microcrystalline wax oradhesive may be disposed on or proximate the longitudinal axis LA. Thetacky coating 39 may be disposed in a range of 2.5 to 10 gsm and moreparticularly 3 to 3.5 gsm.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the regularly spaced bonds 32, 34 provide thebenefits described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C. Referring to FIGS.2D-2F, the irregularly spaced bonds 32, 34 provide the benefitsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1D-1F. While 12 equally spacedsecondary bonds 34 are shown, the invention is not so limited. More orfewer secondary bonds 34 of similar or different size and/or spacing maybe utilized.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3F, the secondary bonds 34 may be diagonallyoriented relative to the longitudinal axis LA. The diagonal orientation,for all such embodiments described and claimed herein, provides thebenefit that during back and forth motion debris entering the channelsformed by the secondary bonds 34 can intercept a tuft 15 bordering thechannel and be retained thereby. Further, the channels can interceptdebris during turns and lateral motions which occur during cleaning.

Furthermore, for all diagonal secondary bond 34 embodiments describedand claimed herein, the instantaneous amperage draw of the bonding stepduring manufacture, is reduced compared to a secondary bond 34 orientedin the transverse direction during ultrasonic bonding or thermalbonding. The reduction in amperage occurs due to less bond area beingpresent at any point in time.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, the secondary bonds 34 may be continuous andform an angle with the longitudinal axis LA of 30 to 75 degrees. Thesesecondary bonds 34 may intercept both longitudinal edges 220 of thefield of tufts 15 to allow convenient entry of debris.

Referring to FIGS. 3D-3F, the diagonally oriented secondary bonds 34 maybe interrupted proximate the longitudinal axis LA. Again, thisembodiment provides the benefit of tufts 15 on the longitudinal axis forretention of debris and diagonal bonds to reduce the instantaneousamperage required during manufacture. The secondary bonds 34 may beoffset from other secondary bonds 34 in the diagonal direction. Thisarrangement provides the benefit that placement of the secondary bonds34 may be customized to the intended cleaning task.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, the regularly spaced bonds 32, 34 provide thebenefits described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C. Referring to FIGS.3D-3F, the irregularly spaced bonds 32, 34 provide the benefitsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1D-1F.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, the cleaning article may have plural sizes ofprimary bonds 32, as measured in the transverse direction. Thisarrangement provides more flexibility to create a like plurality of tuft15 sizes, including tufts 15 having a greater transverse dimensioncreating more thickness in the Z direction. Likewise, the elongate slits36 aligned with the primary bonds 32 in the longitudinal direction, mayhave a length complementary to or identical to the length of adjacentprimary bonds 32.

Placing the larger tufts 15 on the longitudinal axis LA, as shown,provides the prophetic benefit that the greater Z direction thicknessproximate the longitudinal axis can reduce snowplowing of debris at theleading edge of the cleaning article during ordinary use.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, the secondary bonds 34 may be continuouschevrons, bridging across the longitudinal axis LA. Chevrons provide thebenefit of reduced instantaneous amperage requirements for thermalbonding and ultrasonic bonding of the secondary bonds 34. The diagonallegs of the chevron each provide for retention of debris in the channelsof the secondary bonds 34. The chevrons advantageously provide fordiagonally oriented channels in two different directions. The twodifferent orientations provide the benefit of intercepting dirt indifferent directions as the cleaning motion occurs in variousdirections.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, the secondary bonds 34 may form an interruptedchevron pattern, forming a herring bone pattern oriented in thelongitudinal direction. The herring bone pattern provides the benefit ofreduced instantaneous amperage requirements for thermal bonding andultrasonic bonding of the secondary bonds 34. The diagonal legs of eachherring bone provide for retention of debris in the channels of thesecondary bonds 34. The herring bone pattern advantageously provides fordiagonally oriented channels in two different directions. The twodifferent orientations provide the benefit of intercepting dirt indifferent directions as the cleaning motion occurs in variousdirections.

The longitudinal axis LA may be free of tufts 15 to provide for interiortuft 15 movement. If the longitudinal axis LA s free of tufts 15, thisgeometry further reduces the amperage required to form the secondarybonds 34.

While 12 secondary bonds 34 are shown, the invention is not so limited.More or fewer secondary bonds 34 of similar or different size and/orspacing may be utilized.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7F, the secondary bonds 34 may form sinusoidalpattern, generally oriented in the longitudinal direction. Thesinusoidal pattern provides the benefit of reduced instantaneousamperage requirements for thermal bonding and ultrasonic bonding of thesecondary bonds 34. The ends of the secondary bonds 34 may be generallytransversely oriented, to intercept debris during cleaning in a straightline motion, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-F. The diagonalcenter The diagonal center leg of the sinusoidal secondary bonds 35prophetically captures and holds debris intercepted through the straightline motion.

The different orientations of the primary bonds 32 and secondary bonds34, as taken in the transverse direction, provide for irregular spacingtherebetween, and thus differently sized tufts 15, as discussed above.

Referring to FIGS. 3F and 7F, the cleaning article 10 may have bothsecondary bonds 34 which extending continuously between the longitudinaledges 220 of the grid of tufts and secondary bonds 34 which areinterrupted and do not intercept the longitudinal axis LA. Thisarrangement provides the benefit that continuous channels formed by thesecondary bonds 34 which extend between the longitudinal edges 220 ofthe grid of tufts 15 provide more space for entrapment of large debriswhile the interrupted channels entrap smaller debris.

Referring to FIGS. 1E2, 2E2, 3E2, 5E2, and 7E2, the cleaning article mayhave bridge fibers 15B. The bridge fibers 15 are joined at a proximalend to the carrier sheet and are also joined to the carrier sheet atanother position along the length of the tow fiber. This arrangementprovides the benefit of minimizing fiber loss on rough surfaces andprovides more surface of the tow fibers in the XY plane to entrapdebris. d

Referring to FIG. 8, the secondary bonds 34 may be equally or unequallyspaced from adjacent secondary bonds 34. The secondary bonds 34 may beof like geometry, size, angular orientation and shape or may be ofmutually different geometry, size, angular orientation and/or shape.While three different sizes of tufts 15 are shown, the invention is notso limited. The cleaning article 10 may have two, three, four or moredifferent sizes of tufts 15.

The cleaning article 10 may optionally have strips 17. The strips 17have an aspect ratio of length to width greater than 1. Optionally, anelongate tow fiber rope oriented generally parallel to and optionallycoincident the longitudinal axis LA may be used.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the cleaning article 10 may be removablyattachable to a cleaning implement 70 for use with dry, wet and/orprewetted cleaning, depending upon the particular task. The cleaningimplement 70 may have a head 74 for receiving the cleaning article 10and an elongate handle 72 joined thereto. A typical floor cleaningimplement 70 has a handle 72 for grasping by the user and a head 74attached thereto, and preferably pivotally attached thereto. The head 74moves against the floor, or other target surface. The cleaning article10 may be removably attached to the bottom of the head 74. An attachmentsystem may provide for removable attachment of the cleaning article 10to a suitable and optional handle 72. Removable attachment of thecleaning article 10 to the implement 70 may be accomplished usingadhesive 32, hook and loop systems, elongate sleeves, grippers, etc.Grippers and a suitable cleaning implement 70 are disclosed in commonlyassigned 6,484,356.

Referring to FIG. 9B, the cleaning article 10 may optionally be usedwith a cleaning solution or other solution usable for other purposessuch as treating the surface for appearance or disinfectant, etc. Afloor cleaning implement 70 may allow for cleaning of the floor whilethe user is upright, and may also provide for spraying of cleaningsolution or other liquid to the floor from a reservoir 75 through one ormore nozzles 76. Suitable spray implements 70 are disclosed in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,006; 5,988,920; 6,842,936; 7,182,537;7,536,743; 7,676,877 and 8,186,898. The cleaning solution may bepre-applied to the cleaning article 10, creating a pre-moistenedcleaning article 10 or may be contained within a separate reservoir 75for dosing onto the cleaning article 10 and/or target surface. Thecleaning solution may comprise a majority water, and at least about 0.5,2, 5 or 10 weight percent solids, or at least about 30 or 50 weightpercent aqueous solvents, non-aqueous solutions or mixtures thereof. Asuitable implement 70 having an optional vacuum is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,137,169.

Referring to FIG. 9C, the implement 70 may have a handle 72 and head 74used in fixed relationship and comprising one or more tines 73. Thetines 73 may be inserted into sleeves in the cleaning article 10. Thisarrangement allows the cleaning article 10 to be conveniently used as aduster for cleaning small object and tights spaces 31. Suitableimplements 70 for a duster type cleaning article 10 are disclosed incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,578,564 and D674,949 S.

If desired, the cleaning article 10 may be used with and removablyattached to an autonomously moving robot or drone. Suitable examples ofrobots and drones for use with the cleaning article of the presentinvention are found in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,941,199;6,810,305; 6,779,217; 6,481,515; 6,459,955 and Ser. No. 14/992,195,filed Jan. 11, 2016, P&G Case 14189. Examples of robots for use with wetand dry cleaning are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,389,156; 8,774,966 and8,855,813. A data control system may be utilized with the cleaningarticle 10, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,524.

The cleaning article 10 may also be used manually, without a handle 72or implement 70. If desired, various cleaning articles 10 describedherein may be packaged and sold in a kit. This arrangement provides thebenefit that the user has a choice of different cleaning articles 10 fordifferent tasks. For example, if desired, plural sizes of the cleaningarticles 10 may be sold together as a single kit. This arrangementallows the user to select the particular cleaning article 10 best suitedfor the immediate task.

The cleaning article 10 may be made according to any of the followingnonlimiting paragraphs in any combination thereof.

-   -   A. A cleaning article 10 bounded by edges defining an XY plane        and a Z-direction perpendicular thereto, a longitudinal axis LA        defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse axis TA        defining a transverse direction, said cleaning article 10        comprising:    -   a carrier sheet having a first side and a second side opposed        thereto, and    -   a plurality of discrete tow fibers joined to said first side of        said carrier sheet by a plurality of primary bonds 32 and        extending outwardly therefrom in the Z-direction to have a tow        thickness in the z-direction,    -   a plurality of elongate secondary bond disposed on at least one        plurality of tow fibers and having a secondary bond thickness in        the Z-direction, said secondary bond thickness being less than        said tow thickness in the Z-direction, said secondary bond        bridging at least some of said tow fibers, and    -   a plurality of elongate slits 36 through said carrier sheet and        said tow fibers, said slits 36 being disposed between a said        primary bond and a said secondary bond.    -   B. A cleaning article 10 bounded by alternating longitudinal        edges 20 and transverse edges defining an XY plane and a        Z-direction perpendicular thereto, a longitudinal axis LA        defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse axis TA        defining a transverse direction, said cleaning article 10        comprising:    -   a carrier sheet having a first side and a second side opposed        thereto, and    -   a plurality of discrete spaced apart tufts 15 of tow fibers        joined to said first side of said carrier sheet by a plurality        of primary bonds 32 and extending outwardly therefrom in the        Z-direction to have a tuft thickness in the Z-direction,    -   a plurality of elongate secondary bonds 34 having a secondary        bond thickness in the Z-direction, said secondary bond thickness        being less than said tuft thickness, each said secondary bond        bridging at least two adjacent tufts 15 of tow fibers, and    -   a plurality of elongate slits 36 through said carrier sheet and        said tow fibers, said slits 36 being unequally transversely        spaced between two adjacent bonds.    -   C. A cleaning article 10 bounded by alternating longitudinal        edges 20 and transverse edges 22 defining an XY plane and a        Z-direction perpendicular thereto, a longitudinal axis LA        defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse axis TA        defining a transverse direction, said cleaning article 10        comprising:    -   a carrier sheet having a first side and a second side opposed        thereto, and    -   a plurality of discrete spaced apart tufts 15 of tow fibers        joined to said first side of said carrier sheet by a plurality        of primary bonds 32 and extending outwardly therefrom in the        Z-direction to have a tuft thickness in the Z-direction,    -   a plurality of elongate secondary bonds 34 having a secondary        bond thickness in the Z-direction, said secondary bond thickness        being less than said tuft thickness, each said secondary bond        bridging at least two adjacent tufts 15 of tow fibers, said        secondary bond thickness being less than said tuft thickness,        each said secondary bond bridging at least two adjacent tufts 15        of tow fibers, and    -   a first plurality of elongate slits 36 through said carrier        sheet and said tow fibers, said first plurality of slits 36        being spaced a first distance from a transversely adjacent        secondary bond, and a second plurality of elongate slits 36        through said carrier sheet and said tow fibers, said second        plurality of slits 36 being spaced a second distance from a        transversely adjacent secondary bond, said second distance being        greater than said first distance.    -   D. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraph A wherein said        plurality of tow fibers comprises plural lines of tow fibers        oriented in said transverse direction.    -   E. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B and C        wherein a plurality of said slits 36 are unequally transversely        spaced between a respective, said adjacent primary bond and a        respective, said adjacent secondary bond.    -   F. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C and E        wherein said primary bonds 32 are elongate, and said elongate        primary bonds 32, said elongate secondary bonds 34 and said        elongate slits 36 are substantially parallel.    -   G. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E and        F wherein said primary bonds 32 are elongate, and said elongate        primary bonds 32, said elongate secondary bonds 34 and said        elongate slits 36 are substantially parallel, and further        comprising a plurality of slits 36 transversely disposed between        secondary bonds 34.    -   H. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F        and G wherein said primary bonds 32 are elongate, and said        elongate primary bonds 32, said elongate secondary bonds 34 and        said elongate slits 36 are substantially parallel, and further        comprising bridge fibers joined to said carrier sheet and not        having a free end.    -   I. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G and H wherein said primary bonds 32 are elongate, and said        elongate primary bonds 32, said elongate secondary bonds 34 and        said elongate slits 36 are substantially parallel, said        secondary bonds 34 being generally rectilinear and oriented        diagonal to said longitudinal axis LA.    -   J. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H and I further comprising a channel on said carrier between        said tufts 15, said channel being free of said tufts 15, said        channel being juxtaposed with said longitudinal axis LA.    -   K. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H, I and J further comprising a channel on said carrier        between said tufts 15, said channel being free of said tufts 15,        said channel being juxtaposed with said longitudinal axis LA,        said channel having a tacky coating 39 thereon.    -   L. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H, I, J and K further comprising a channel on said carrier        between said tufts 15, said channel being free of said tufts 15,        said channel being juxtaposed with said longitudinal axis LA        wherein at least some of said primary bonds 32, said secondary        bonds 34 and said slits 36 intercept said channel.    -   M. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H, I, J, K and L having a first plurality of elongate primary        bonds 32 with a first length in said transverse direction and a        second plurality of elongate primary bonds 32 juxtaposed with        said longitudinal axis LA and having a second length in said        transverse direction, said second length being greater than said        first length.    -   N. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H, I, J, K, L and M having a first plurality of secondary        bonds 34 with a first secondary bond width and a second        plurality of secondary bonds 34 with a second secondary bond        width, said second secondary bond width being greater than said        first secondary bond width.    -   O. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H, I, J, K, L, M and N having a first plurality of secondary        bonds 34 with a first secondary bond width and a second        plurality of secondary bonds 34 with a second secondary bond        width, said second secondary bond width being greater than said        first secondary bond width, wherein said bonds of said first        plurality and said second plurality are generally transversely        oriented and alternatingly disposed in said longitudinal        direction.    -   P. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N and O further comprising a second        plurality of slits 36, said second plurality of slits 36 being        coincident and disposed upon a like plurality of secondary bonds        34.    -   Q. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H and I wherein said tufts 15 are disposed in a rectangular        grid having alternating longitudinal edges 220 and transverse        edges 222, said cleaning article 10 comprising a first plurality        of secondary bonds 34 extending substantially continuously        between said longitudinal edges 220 of said grid and a second        plurality of said secondary bonds 34 extending from each said        longitudinal edge 220 of said grid and not intercepting said        longitudinal axis LA.    -   R. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F,        G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P and Q wherein said tufts 15 are        disposed in a rectangular grid having alternating longitudinal        edges and transverse edges 222, said cleaning article 10        comprising a first plurality of secondary bonds 34 extending        substantially continuously diagonally between said longitudinal        edges 220 of said grid and a second plurality of said secondary        bonds 34 extending diagonally from each said longitudinal edge        220 of said grid and not intercepting said longitudinal axis LA        said secondary bonds 34 of said first plurality of said        secondary bonds 34 and said second plurality of said secondary        bonds 34 being alternating disposed with one another.

S. A cleaning article 10 according to paragraphs A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I,J, K, L, M, N, O, P and Q wherein said tufts 15 are disposed in arectangular grid having alternating longitudinal edges 220 andtransverse edges 222, and said secondary bonds 34 intercept at least onesaid longitudinal edge 220 of said grid and extend generallyperpendicular to said longitudinal axis LA.

T. A cleaning article 10 according to any preceding paragraph removablyjoined to a cleaning implement 70.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm” and a pressure disclosed as “about 1100 kPa” is intendedto include 1103.2 kPa.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern. All limits shown herein as defining a range may be used with anyother limit defining a range. That is the upper limit of one range maybe used with the lower limit of another range, and vice versa.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning article bounded by edges defining anXY plane and a Z-direction perpendicular thereto, a longitudinal axisdefining a longitudinal direction and a transverse axis defining atransverse direction, said cleaning article comprising: a carrier sheethaving a first side and a second side opposed thereto, and a pluralityof discrete tow fibers joined to said first side of said carrier sheetby a plurality of primary bonds and extending outwardly therefrom in theZ-direction to have a tow thickness in the z-direction, a plurality ofelongate secondary bond disposed on at least one plurality of tow fibersand having a secondary bond thickness in the Z-direction, said secondarybond thickness being less than said tow thickness in the Z-direction,said secondary bond bridging at least some of said tow fibers, and aplurality of elongate slits through said carrier sheet and said towfibers, said slits being disposed between a said primary bond and a saidsecondary bond.
 2. A cleaning article bounded by alternatinglongitudinal edges and transverse edges defining an XY plane and aZ-direction perpendicular thereto, a longitudinal axis defining alongitudinal direction and a transverse axis defining a transversedirection, said cleaning article comprising: a carrier sheet having afirst side and a second side opposed thereto, and a plurality ofdiscrete spaced apart tufts of tow fibers joined to said first side ofsaid carrier sheet by a plurality of primary bonds and extendingoutwardly therefrom in the Z-direction to have a tuft thickness in theZ-direction, a plurality of elongate secondary bonds having a secondarybond thickness in the Z-direction, said secondary bond thickness beingless than said tuft thickness, each said secondary bond bridging atleast two adjacent tufts of tow fibers, and a plurality of elongateslits through said carrier sheet and said tow fibers, said slits beingunequally transversely spaced between two adjacent bonds.
 3. A cleaningarticle bounded by alternating longitudinal edges and transverse edgesdefining an XY plane and a Z-direction perpendicular thereto, alongitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction and a transverseaxis defining a transverse direction, said cleaning article comprising:a carrier sheet having a first side and a second side opposed thereto,and a plurality of discrete spaced apart tufts of tow fibers joined tosaid first side of said carrier sheet by a plurality of primary bondsand extending outwardly therefrom in the Z-direction to have a tuftthickness in the Z-direction, a plurality of elongate secondary bondshaving a secondary bond thickness in the Z-direction, said secondarybond thickness being less than said tuft thickness, each said secondarybond bridging at least two adjacent tufts of tow fibers, said secondarybond thickness being less than said tuft thickness, each said secondarybond bridging at least two adjacent tufts of tow fibers, and a firstplurality of elongate slits through said carrier sheet and said towfibers, said first plurality of slits being spaced a first distance froma transversely adjacent secondary bond, and a second plurality ofelongate slits through said carrier sheet and said tow fibers, saidsecond plurality of slits being spaced a second distance from atransversely adjacent secondary bond, said second distance being greaterthan said first distance.
 4. A cleaning article according to claim 1wherein said plurality of tow fibers comprises plural lines of towfibers oriented in said transverse direction.
 5. A cleaning articleaccording to claim 1 wherein a plurality of said slits are unequallytransversely spaced between a respective, said adjacent primary bond anda respective, said adjacent secondary bond.
 6. A cleaning articleaccording to claim 1 wherein said primary bonds are elongate, and saidelongate primary bonds, said elongate secondary bonds and said elongateslits are substantially parallel.
 7. A cleaning article according toclaim 1 wherein said primary bonds are elongate, and said elongateprimary bonds, said elongate secondary bonds and said elongate slits aresubstantially parallel, and further comprising a plurality of slitstransversely disposed between secondary bonds.
 8. A cleaning articleaccording to claim 1 wherein said primary bonds are elongate, and saidelongate primary bonds, said elongate secondary bonds and said elongateslits are substantially parallel, and further comprising bridge fibersjoined to said carrier sheet and not having a free end.
 9. A cleaningarticle according to claim 1 wherein said primary bonds are elongate,and said elongate primary bonds, said elongate secondary bonds and saidelongate slits are substantially parallel, said secondary bonds beinggenerally rectilinear and oriented diagonal to said longitudinal axis.10. A cleaning article according to claim 2 further comprising a channelon said carrier between said tufts, said channel being free of saidtufts, said channel being juxtaposed with said longitudinal axis.
 11. Acleaning article according to claim 2 further comprising a channel onsaid carrier between said tufts, said channel being free of said tufts,said channel being juxtaposed with said longitudinal axis, said channelhaving a tacky coating thereon.
 12. A cleaning article according toclaim 2 further comprising a channel on said carrier between said tufts,said channel being free of said tufts, said channel being juxtaposedwith said longitudinal axis wherein at least some of said primary bonds,said secondary bonds and said slits intercept said channel.
 13. Acleaning article according to claim 2 having a first plurality ofelongate primary bonds with a first length in said transverse directionand a second plurality of elongate primary bonds juxtaposed with saidlongitudinal axis and having a second length in said transversedirection, said second length being greater than said first length. 14.A cleaning article according to claim 3 having a first plurality ofsecondary bonds with a first secondary bond width and a second pluralityof secondary bonds with a second secondary bond width, said secondsecondary bond width being greater than said first secondary bond width.15. A cleaning article according to claim 3 having a first plurality ofsecondary bonds with a first secondary bond width and a second pluralityof secondary bonds with a second secondary bond width, said secondsecondary bond width being greater than said first secondary bond width,wherein said bonds of said first plurality and said second plurality aregenerally transversely oriented and alternatingly disposed in saidlongitudinal direction.
 16. A cleaning article according to claim 3further comprising a second plurality of slits, said second plurality ofslits being coincident and disposed upon a like plurality of secondarybonds.
 17. A cleaning article according to claim 3 wherein said tuftsare disposed in a rectangular grid having alternating longitudinal edgesand transverse edges, said cleaning article comprising a first pluralityof secondary bonds extending substantially continuously between saidlongitudinal edges of said grid and a second plurality of said secondarybonds extending from each said longitudinal edge of said grid and notintercepting said longitudinal axis.
 18. A cleaning article according toclaim 3 wherein said tufts are disposed in a rectangular grid havingalternating longitudinal edges and transverse edges, said cleaningarticle comprising a first plurality of secondary bonds extendingsubstantially continuously diagonally between said longitudinal edges ofsaid grid and a second plurality of said secondary bonds extendingdiagonally from each said longitudinal edge of said grid and notintercepting said longitudinal axis, said secondary bonds of said firstplurality and said secondary bonds of said second plurality beingalternating disposed with one another.
 19. A cleaning article accordingto claim 3 wherein said tufts are disposed in a rectangular grid havingalternating longitudinal edges and transverse edges, and said secondarybonds intercept at least one said longitudinal edge of said grid andextend generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 20. A cleaningarticle according to claim 3 removably joined to a cleaning implement.